Today’s journey is a short one, only 8nm over to the Bunsby
Islands and Scow Bay. The Bunsby Islands are a destination for kayakers so we
are excited to do some exploring by paddle.

The morning was again sunny and cloudless. We slept in until
around 7:30 and were able to see the low tide. Large mud flats and rocks were
now clearly visible when before they were only indications on the charts and
depths on the sounder.

Since the trip was short today, we took our time getting
ready. It was not until 10:30 that we got underway. The winds were out of the
southeast as predicted, blowing about 15 knots. In order to avoid the low
swells we set our course for behind the Barrier Islands. The reefs, islands and
islets along with their associated kelp, did a fine job of calming the seas.

Karen vanquishes the kelp we harvested on our anchor

As we approached Gay Passage to enter Scow Bay, we passed
three kayakers. They appear very small in this large, vast watery vista.

Scow Bay is open looking, but provides good protection.
Because the head is small, we found it difficult to find a spot to anchor where
we could let out enough scope and still have enough swing room. It’s a better
place for a stern tie with water depth approaching 40 feet. Many of the
outcroppings have good depths even as you get very close.

We were not in the mood for a stern tie, and we were all
alone in the bay, so we moved out a little and set in 55 feet at high tide.
This gave us nice breezes and great views in all quadrants.

The afternoon showed we had little ambition. Karen read her
Nook, and then took a nap; and I worked on the blog and photos. Around 3pm when
I looked up from my computer, I saw some fog had moved into the Gay Passage
entrance and was trying to make its way to our anchorage – from the water in
front of us, and wafting over the tops of the trees behind us. For the next
three hours the sun, with its warm temperatures, and the cold air from the
ocean fought to gain control.

It was very strange to be enjoying a bright cloudless day,
so bright your eyes hurt, and then see fog roll in trying to block the clear
skies above. We knew what was coming; as soon as the temperatures dropped, the
fog would set in solid.

The fog and sun battle for dominance

Around six as I was beginning to think about fixing dinner,
I gazed at the entrance and saw a small sailboat entering the cove. A beautiful
sloop of about 33ish feet with two guys aboard waved as they motored past us and
dropped anchor 100 yards further up towards the head of the bay. After they
dropped anchor, the fog got serious.

Trying to beat the fog to the anchorage

Dinner was rockfish and curried, glazed sweet potatoes.
Karen promised to bake chocolate chip cookies to bring some joy to our foggy
night. After all, this is why August is called Fogust along the West Coast of
Vancouver Island. A quiet night.